Do you ever take the time to just have fun?
Laughter is the best medicine. Studies actually show that it can change your physiology, allowing your body to function at a peak level. Happy cells are healthy cells.
Conversely, a dark and sombre mood can affect the way your body works in a negative way. Depression harms not only your mind, but every system in every part of your being. It’s no wonder that when you feel lousy, everything feels lousy.
Did you ever notice that you seem to catch colds or the flu at the worst time? You are busy, stressed, with multiple things to do and people to take care of and the next thing you know you get sick.
How inconvenient.
It’s not a surprise though that it happens in this way. The body does all it can to clear out viruses and bacteria and anything else that could be potentially harmful, but sometimes it gets a bit overwhelmed.
When your defences are down, the invaders will move in.
We also get less sleep when stress takes over. You may get to bed early enough, but then tossing and turning while your mind stays active causes you to lie awake, more frustrated than ever because you know you will be exhausted the next day.
It’s a bit of a vicious cycle.
The hour before you go to bed should be sacred time, a chance to unwind from the day and leave your problems behind. It’s a great opportunity to meditate, read something inspiring, or do some very gentle yoga. It’s a good time to turn off any electronics, put your phone on silent mode and know that everything will be there when you wake up in the morning.
These nighttime rituals can become an important part of maintaining both your health and your sanity. Self-care goes a long way toward increasing our ability to function as we need to in this high-velocity world.
During the day, no matter how serious everything around you is, it is important to take the time to smile and to laugh a little. Being serious seems to be in style these days; we are too important to do something frivolous or fun.
Instead of using every free moment you have while commuting or eating to do more work, designate some of that time to something that is purely for enjoyment. Bring a sense of lightness into the day at regular intervals and you will be amazed at how it increases your effectiveness in every other area of life.
Watch cat videos for ten minutes. Read cartoons. Find an old Seinfeld episode to watch, or a comedian that you enjoy. Make the time to find a lightheartedness within you that makes you smile.
Your body will work better at keeping you healthy. Your mood will be softer, and you will have less confrontational disagreements with others. You will digest your food better, and sleep will come more easily.
There are no drawbacks to taking a few minutes each day to remember that everything doesn’t always need to be so serious. Don’t feel guilty about it either.
For some reason, we tend to think that having fun in a world where others are struggling or suffering is wrong. You can’t be morose enough to help lift others into a state of joy.
Emotions are contagious. When you can emit a frequency of ease and peace as you go about your business, it will affect everyone you come into contact with.
You also pollute the environment with your negativity when you choose to be stressed, angry or upset. Everything and everyone around you is affected on some level by the quality of emotion that you carry with you.
Take the time to smile today. Whatever is happening in your life, whether good or bad, it will pass by soon enough. There is no reason to allow the outside circumstances to penetrate the serenity that you can feel on the inside.